ATLANTA, GA. (11.17.17) - The UT Dallas women's basketball team suffered its first loss of the season Friday night as the Comets fell at Emory, 71-56, to open the Emory Tip Off Classic.

The Comets (1-1) will continue the event Saturday at 3 p.m. when they face Emory & Henry. E&H opened the classic with a 67-49 win over Belhaven Friday night in the Wasps' season opener.

UTD got into an early hole as the host Eagles opened the contest by outscoring the Comets, 21-14, in the opening period. Emory would extend its lead to 42-23 at the break after shooting better than 60 percent from the field as a team over the opening two quarters.

The Comets slowed the pace in the third frame, outscoring Emory, 13-10, in the period, but the halftime deficit was too large as UTD fell 15 points shy despite outscoring the Eagles in the final quarter.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
The Comets shot just 31.8 percent (21-of-66) on the night, hitting just 5-of-17 (29.4%) three-point attempts. In comparisons, Emory finished the night shooting 52.8 percent (28-of-53) from the floor.

The Eagles outscored UTD, 36-22, in the paint and finished the contest with 17 fast-break points.

KEY PERFORMERS
Point guard Victoria Pena led the Comets in scoring for the second straight game, ending the night with a game-high 16 points along with a team-best nine rebounds. Pena was 7-for-18 from the field, hitting two three-pointers, and added three assists.

Kelley Skinner came off the bench for 11 points as the only other Comet in double digits.